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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 36 (1986), Pages 227-238

Energy Programs-A Contribution to Salt Dome Knowledge

Joseph Didier Martinez (1)

ABSTRACT

In recent years, several major federal energy programs involving salt domes have been initiated. An enormous amount of data has been accumulated concerning their occurrence, origin, character and utilization. This has resulted in an enhanced geological and technological understanding of salt domes. This understanding should aid in the planning and develoment of their use both in an economic and environmental sense.

Studies of the utility of salt domes for the isolation of high-level nuclear waste were initiated in the early 1970s by the U. S. Geological Survey and greatly expanded by the U. S. Department of Energy. Another program, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Project, was mandated by Congress in 1975. Its ultimate goal was to establish a reserve of one billion barrels of crude oil. Man-made cavities in Gulf Coast salt domes are being utilized for this purpose. A third effort has been the study of Previous HitcompressedTop air energy storage underground. An evaluation of the use of man-made cavities in salt domes for this purpose has been a major focus of this program.

Enhancement of scientific knowledge related to salt domes has included such fields as structural geology, petrology, hydrology, rock mechanics, mining methods, failure modes of underground structures and potential environmental impact of salt dome utilization.


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